EP0508033B1

EP0508033B1 - General protector

Info

Publication number: EP0508033B1
Application number: EP91830410A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Giovanni Palma
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-04-10
Filing date: 1991-10-03
Publication date: 1994-04-06
Anticipated expiration: 2011-10-03
Also published as: EP0508033A1; ES2051581T3; ITSA910004A1; ITSA910004A0

Description

SPECIFICATION

The present invention refers to a protector for brittle objects, particularly electronic devices of small dimensions such as: walkie talkies, pocket electronic calculators, different remote controls, measurement testers, cellular telephones, people finders etc.
When these objects drop, they can be damaged both externally and in the inner electronic part.
Protective devices for electrical apparatuses have already been proposed.
US-A-4733776 discloses a protective device for a remote control unit which includes a resilient, deformable foam panel provided with an arcuate curvature about a central axis, in channel-like fashion. A flexible, transparent elastic member is adapted to extend across the channel opening, with a remote control device disposed within the channel opening. Hook or loop fastener patches are secured to opposed edges of the transparent member and are engageable with like loop or hook fastener patches secured to the outer peripheral surface of the foam panel, so that the transparent member applies tension to the opposed sides of the channel opening and frictionally retains the remote control unit therein. The elasticity of the transparent member permits operation of the pushbuttons of the remote unit, while the foam material cushions the unit and prevents damage from casual impact or falling. Further hook and loop patches may be joined to the outer surface to secure the remote control unit to a table surface or a remote, childproof location
From US-A-4762227 there is further known a resilient enclosure for receiving a remote signaling, hand-held assembly including a layered resilient foam pad comprising a rectangular base onto which a segmented layer is adhered. One or more parts of the layer are then removed to define an opening in which the hand-held assembly is received. A two-ply transparent cover may then be positioned over the pad having segments of the interior ply thereof, removed in correspondence with the remaining segments of the pad. The interply adhesive thus exposed is then useful to secure the cover to the pad.
US-A-4 836 256 describes a protective sheath particularly for a television remote control. The sheath has a shape which matches and huggs that of the remote control unit.
To avoid using a specific protector for each item, the present invention provides a protector capable of adapting to different measures. Accordingly the present invention provides a protector as defined in claim 1.
Further features of the invention are described in the dependent claims.
The protector's material that is able to produce a damper effect and includes the basic requisites of elasticity and impact energy, has a polymeric base such as for example: PCV, poliurethane resin, latex.
To prevent the object from dropping out once inside the protector, curved shapes have been chosen, that are easily adaptable, to which protruding edges have been internally added.
To absorb shocks the protector comprises a semi-cylindrical border and, to protect the lower part, a lot of little cylinders have been created and intercalated with greater elasticity in the the remaining parts, while maintaining the degree of protection unchanged.
Such elasticity is necessary to ensure the adaptability in the thickness of the different apparatuses to be protected.
All the above mentioned features have been pointed out in the following description referred to the attached drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is an enlarged top plan view of the general protector according to the invention;
Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the protector:
Fig. 3 is a cross section along line III-III of Fig. 1 or 2;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the protector.

Fig. 1) Top plan view

Four concentric rectangles with curved edges are shown.
The external rectangle is the planned projection of a semi-cylinder that, in the form of a ring, circumscribes the drawing.
The successive rectangle constitutes the upper part of the protector.
The third rectangle shows an opening situated in the previously mentioned upper part of the protector and enables a clear vision of the lower part.

Fig. 2) Bottom plan view

Six concentric rectangles with curved borders are shown.
The external rectangle is the other plan projection of the semicylinder already mentioned in the description of the top plan view.
The second rectangle is the base contour of such semicylinder.
The third rectangle is the upper contour of a transition inclined plane.
The fourth rectangle is constituted by the projection of the circular bases of 384 small cylinders alternatively placed.
The fifth rectangle is the internal contour of a cylinder that surrounds the opening of the lower plane which is represented by the last rectangle.

Fig. 3) Cross section

Two openings are visible: that of the upper plane and that of the lower plane.
The semicylinder that circumscribes the upper opening and the cylinder that circumscribes the lower opening.
The little cylinders on the lower plane.
The transition inclined planes.
The curved planes of the lower borders.

Fig. 4) Perspective view

It is possible to visualize the volume and the total appearance of the protector.
It is possible to distinguish the upper plane with borders and curved angles in the central opening through which it is possible to see inside the protector, its lower plane and the opening in this plane.
It is possible to clearly see the semicylinder that surrounds the entire element.
The little cylinders situated on the lower inner part of the protector are visible.

It can be noticed from the above figures that the protector for electronic devices according to the present invention, shown on the whole with reference numeral 1, is substantially shaped like a hollow parallelepiped, with a large upper rectangular opening 2, perimetrically delimited by a semi-cylindrical profile 3.
On the lower surface another rectangular opening 4 is foreseen, smaller than the previous one, perimetrically delimited by a substantially cylindrical profile 5.
From the lower surface of the protector a plurality of small cylinders 6 protrude (384 to be precise), staggered in successive rows.
On the perimeter of the protector a semi-cylindrical projection 7 is foreseen in a substantial median position.
In practice, features concerning execution, dimensions, materials or shape of the protector, could change without however going beyond the scope of the invention as claimed in claim 1.

Claims

A protector for electric or electronic devices the protector being substantially shaped like a hollow parallelepiped, so as to house the device to be protected, and adapting to devices having different forms and dimensions by the elasticity of its material which allows it to reach up to three times its original size.
A protector according to claim 1, characterized in that said elastic material has a polymeric base.
A protector according to claim 2, wherein said material is PVC, poliurethane resin or latex.
A protector according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that it has, in its upper surface, a large rectangular opening (2), extending through almost the whole surface, through which the device to be protected is inserted.
A protector according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that it foresees in its lower surface a rectangular opening (4) smaller than the opening (2) foreseen in the upper surface.
A protector according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that it has on the lower surface a plurality of small protruding cylinders, positioned in rows staggered one with respect to the other.
A protector according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that it foresees a perimetrical semi-cylindrical protrusion (7), positioned at about the middle of its height.
A protector according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that it is made of a material allowing infrared rays to pass through.